It comes as a Chinese writer based in the US revealed himself as co-author of
the provocative book "Xi Jinping and His Lovers"

People browse books banned by the Chinese government in Mainland China at a Lunar New Year Fair at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, ChinaPhoto: EPA

By Jennifer Pak, in Shenzen

5:45PM GMT 05 Feb 2016

A Hong Kong pro-democracy group is selling politically sensitive books banned in mainland China at an outdoor lunar new year market to highlight the plight of five local booksellers currently held by Chinese police.

Amongst the rows of plush toys and fresh flowers in Victoria Park meant to usher in the new year with good luck, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China displays in its stall more than 50 book titles that promise to divulge secret affairs, assassination attempts and conspiracy amongst China’s political elite.

The group's chairman and Hong Kong lawmaker, Albert Ho, told the Telegraph that all of these titles were sold at the Causeway Bay Books shop before it shut down following the disappearance of five men connected to the firm.

“This news has attracted a lot of interested buyers to our stall to look for different types of books so sales have been quite good,” he says.

Books banned by the Chinese government in Mainland China at a Lunar New Year Fair at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, China Photo: EPA

However, Mr Ho says the publisher of these books has suddenly refused to replenish their stock after this current batch is sold.

“I think this must be due to political pressure from the mainland,” he says.

There is intense speculation that Chinese agents had been operating outside the mainland in its campaign against the five men linked to the Mighty Current publishing company.

Some believe that the publisher was set to print a book on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s love life.

It comes as a Chinese writer based in the US told the BBC that he is the co-author of the provocative book, titled Xi Jinping and His Lovers.

The writer uses the pen name Xi Nuo and says he has published the book online to challenge China and that the five men should not be held responsible.

Police in Guangdong province have confirmed for the first time on Thursday that all five booksellers are on the mainland after months of speculation.

Chinese authorities have sent a letter to Hong Kong police indicating that Lui Por, Cheung Chi Ping and Lam Wing Kee are being investigated for “illegal activities” in connection to another publisher, Gui Minhai, who holds a Swedish passport.

People browse books banned by the Chinese government in Mainland China at a Lunar New Year Fair at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, China Photo: EPA

Hong Kong police have separately received a letter from the fifth man, a dual British and Chinese national named Lee Bo, denying its request to meet but did not detail how he disappeared from Hong Kong and turned up in mainland China without his travel documents.

“By logical reasoning he must have been abducted and transferred to the mainland,” says Hong Kong lawmaker Mr Ho.

The British embassy in Beijing said they continue to raise the case at the highest levels.

This incident has also drawn international attention from authorities in the US and Europe.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities say they are continuing in their own investigation into the matter.